Hematology Career Planner

Every hematology trainee, whether an MD or PhD, should have a plan for career success. To help you start planning for a successful career in hematology, the ASH Trainee Council has created this career-development tool.

Clinical Fellowship (first 12-18 months)

Mentorship & Project

Search for and identify mentors, recognizing that there are different types of mentors (research, career, coach).

Interview senior faculty who have achieved your professional or personal goals.

Establish expectations by discussing career direction (interest in similar projects), support (money, space, ancillary staff), and availability (frequency of meeting, revision of grant proposals and manuscripts).

Most programs reply in two to four weeks to express interest or say they are not hiring. If more time has passed without a reply, consider sending another email or see if your mentor/other faculty can reach out to a colleague where you applied.

Interviews for a July start date generally occur between November and February.

Keep in mind that the interview structure may differ from one institution to another (e.g. two-interview process, coupled with presentation at grand round, versus single comprehensive interview). Make sure you are prepared for the interview day structure.

Review all offers with your mentor and senior faculty at your home institution to help with the decision.

Early Doctoral Training (Years 1-2)

Mentorship & Project

Choose a dissertation mentor and a laboratory.

Select lab rotations to evaluate if the mentor can develop your research interest.

Be a proactive mentee: set concrete goals, be timely and prepared at meetings, be willing to accept and act on advice or criticism, and be trustworthy.

Understand expectations that determine transition to an independent position.

Academic tenured track: Gain national prominence in a thematic area relevant to postdoc research, and demonstrate independence at the postdoc level by publishing in a high-profile journal and receiving funding.

Independent group leader in industry: Gain national prominence in an area relevant to your field of interest by publishing, applying for patents, designing therapeutic compounds, and developing your expertise.